King Charles Now Facing Swift Backlash Over Easter Message
In a message meant to honor the holiest season of the Christian calendar, King Charles delivered an Easter reflection that has drawn criticism from Christian conservatives and everyday believers alike for its emphasis on interfaith inclusion rather than a clear proclamation of Christian truth.
Speaking on Maundy Thursday, the monarch touched on the themes of “faith, hope and love,” while also highlighting what he called “the paradox of human life” — our capacity for both cruelty and compassion. He praised humanitarians, acknowledged acts of heroism in war-torn regions, and referenced the humility of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, noting that His “love knew no bounds or boundaries.”
Ahead of this year’s Maundy Service at Durham Cathedral, The King has shared an Easter message to all who celebrate.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 17, 2025
Read His Majesty’s message in full on https://t.co/KiQRhXH13E pic.twitter.com/kbo8Li7m2y
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“One of the puzzles of our humanity is how we are capable of both great cruelty and great kindness,” he said.
“This paradox of human life runs through the Easter story and in the scenes that daily come before our eyes — at one moment, terrible images of human suffering and, in another, heroic acts in war-torn countries where humanitarians of every kind risk their own lives to protect the lives of others.”
However, in a move that many say dilutes the message of Easter, King Charles went on to suggest that the love shown by Jesus was simply reflective of broader human values, also found in Judaism, Islam, and other world religions. “The love He showed when he walked the Earth reflected the Jewish ethic of caring for the stranger and those in need, a deep human instinct echoed in Islam and other religious traditions,” he said.
This isn’t sitting well with many Britons who expect the King — as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and the “Defender of the Faith” — to speak unambiguously about Christianity during one of its most sacred holidays. Social media erupted with criticism, with one commenter asking, “Is this a joke?” Another wrote, “Is he not the head of the Church of England? When it’s my son’s birthday, I don’t wish my daughter happy birthday too. Let Easter just be Easter.”
This isn’t the first time Charles has sparked concern among Christians. His 2024 Christmas message similarly suggested a theological equivalence between faiths, which many believers found troubling.
At a time when Christianity is under cultural and political pressure in the U.K. and across the West, many are questioning whether the monarch is upholding the faith he has sworn to defend — or quietly surrendering it in the name of pluralism.
This article originally appeared on American Faith, and is reposted with permission.
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